History of Clouds Hill

1761

Tree plantation

James Frampton recorded in his diary in 1761 that ‘the plantation on Clouds hill on Tonerspiddle heath was made’. Later, in 1775 he noted that ‘twenty five thousand very small Scotch Fir and some Larch trees were planted on Clouds hill.’

1765

A new road

A map of Dorset Shire (as it was known) shows the circular Clouds Plantation next to a hilly area called Clouds Hill. There are no nearby roads on the map, but in 1767 James Frampton had one built from the end of the Wareham Turnpike, past Clouds Hill and westwards towards Dorchester.

1784

James Frampton II inherits the estate

Squire Frampton’s son, James Frampton II, who later gained notoriety for sending the Tolpuddle Martyrs to trial at the Assizes, inherited the estate when he was only 15 years old. He continued extensive planting and by 1801 had 360 acres of woodland.

1805

On the map

The very first Ordnance Survey map of the area was carried out. It shows the circular Clouds Plantation of 1761 and across the road a small patch of trees with an identical boundary. This still exists around Clouds Hill today.

1820s

Plenty of work for woodmen

Jonathan Chilcott (a brother-in-law of William’s son) moved in to the cottage with his family and stayed for 30 years. Jonathan Chilcott and all the farm workers living there after him were woodmen.

Cash ledgers from the 1860s for the next squire Henry Frampton show that he had a considerable income from his plantations. He sold bundles of sticks, wheel spokes, pick shafts, hurdles, planks, poles and boards. The woodmen he employed during this time would have been kept very busy.

1874

Edward Pride takes up residence

Several families lived at Clouds Hill during the 1850s and 1860s until Edward Pride arrived. His family remained associated with the cottage for almost 40 years. Edward and his wife Elizabeth lived there until 1906. 

1899

Military use

The Frampton family transferred just over 1,000 acres to the War Office for use as a summer training camp. As the First World War approached, Bovington Camp became a battle training ground, and the cottage had to be evacuated. The plantations of fir trees initially remained intact, until they were converted into pit props and timber to make duck boards for the trenches.

1912

Records of residents

Edward and Elizabeth’s eldest son William, also a woodman, lived in the cottage until 1912.

Censuses, parish records and newspapers show the names of about 40 people who lived at Clouds Hill for the first 100 years or so, while the annual electoral registers identify when it was vacated. William Pride was there in July 1912, but by July 1913 he had moved to Moreton.

1923

TE Lawrence discovers Clouds Hill

Pioneer Sergeant Arthur Knowles had recently taken on the small cottage and started repairs with a plan to make it his family home.

By the summer of 1923 Sgt Knowles had made temporary repairs to the roof and was starting to paint the woodwork when TE Lawrence walked past. Over the next week, Lawrence managed to persuade Knowles to sublet it to him, with Lawrence paying for the rest of the rebuilding and repairs.

TE Lawrence rented the cottage from September 1923 for 10 shillings a month.

1929

Purchasing the cottage

After a period posted to India with the RAF, Lawrence returned to Clouds Hill and bought the cottage from the Frampton family. He paid £450 for the cottage and 5 acres of hillside. He began more extensive renovations in preparation for his retirement in 1935.

1935

Tragedy at Clouds Hill

Lawrence died following a motorbike accident on a lane near to Clouds Hill. He was 46 years old. His younger brother Arnold inherited the cottage and realising its historic importance, he began talking to the National Trust about its future.